Girls Inc. of Greater Philadelphia and Southern New Jersey Named Champion in Action by Citizens for Youth Summer Workforce Programming
Grant provides $35,000 in unrestricted funding, promotional and volunteer support
Philadelphia (June 20, 2023) – Girls Inc. of Greater Philadelphia and Southern New Jersey, a nonprofit organization that equips girls to navigate gender, economic, and social barriers and grow up healthy, educated, and independent, has been named a 2023 Champion in Action® in the category of Youth Summer Workforce Programming. The award includes $35,000 in unrestricted funding, as well as significant promotional and volunteer support in recognition of the organization’s critical work.
“Engaging Philadelphia’s youth is a crucial component in developing the workforce of the future,” said Rhonda Bettis, Citizens’ Retail Banking Director for Greater Philadelphia. “We are investing in Girls Inc. because they are a trusted resource in inspiring and connecting young women to meaningful careers.”
Girls Inc. responds to the changing needs of girls through research-based programs and public education efforts that empower girls to understand, value, and assert their rights. They implement healthy decision making, academic enrichment, life skills instruction, and post-secondary readiness programs for girls ages 5-18 and continue to mentor alumnae through college and early career. Their programs are delivered during school hours, after-school, on Saturdays and during the summer. Girls Inc. will use the Champions in Action funding to expand their 2023 professional development and summer internship programs to 60 participants.
“Girls Inc. inspires all girls to be strong, smart, and bold. We provide programs for girls ages 5-18 and continuing mentorship through college and early career through Project Accelerate (PA). A cornerstone of PA is paid summer internships. These experiences help change the trajectory for these young women,” said Dena Herrin, Executive Director of Girls Inc. of Greater Philadelphia and Southern New Jersey. “We are so grateful for the generosity of Citizens through the Champion in Action award that will enable us to offer more of these meaningful opportunities. We are excited to see how the awesome women participating will thrive and redefine equity in the Greater Philadelphia region and across the nation.”
Citizens created the Champions in Action program to address the unique social challenges facing the communities it serves. The initiative rewards established nonprofit organizations, to help them reach the next level. Over more than 20 years, the program has awarded upwards of $10 million in contributions and promotional support to more than 370 nonprofits across the bank’s footprint. In Greater Philadelphia alone, 55 nonprofits have been honored, receiving more than $1.5 million in funding.
For more information about the Champions in Action program, visit www.citizensbank.com/champions
About Citizens Financial Group, Inc.
Citizens Financial Group, Inc. is one of the nation’s oldest and largest financial institutions, with $222.3 billion in assets as of March 31, 2023. Headquartered in Providence, Rhode Island, Citizens offers a broad range of retail and commercial banking products and services to individuals, small businesses, middle-market companies, large corporations and institutions. Citizens helps its customers reach their potential by listening to them and by understanding their needs in order to offer tailored advice, ideas and solutions. In Consumer Banking, Citizens provides an integrated experience that includes mobile and online banking, a full-service customer contact center and the convenience of approximately 3,400 ATMs and approximately 1,100 branches in 14 states and the District of Columbia. Consumer Banking products and services include a full range of banking, lending, savings, wealth management and small business offerings. In Commercial Banking, Citizens offers a broad complement of financial products and solutions, including lending and leasing, deposit and treasury management services, foreign exchange, interest rate and commodity risk management solutions, as well as loan syndication, corporate finance, merger and acquisition, and debt and equity capital markets capabilities. More information is available at www.citizensbank.com or visit us on Twitter, LinkedIn or Facebook.